Dog dies in hot car during 'American Idol' audition

July 20, 2009 - Amy Jo Hanna

As if I needed another reason to abhor "American Idol", a show I once watched religiously during seasons 1-3. How many times do we have to preach to people the dangers of leaving any living being in a hot car? To think this person was only able to be charged with a misdemeanor is a kick in the face. Pure disgust. And, reports state that Simon Cowell is going to do a PSA now about the dangers of leaving pets in cars on hot days. It's going to take a lot to convince me he's doing it out of sincerity and not some publicity stunt devised to try and save the face of the show... D-I-S-G-U-S-T.

By Associated Press

DENVER, Colo. - A man who drove his girlfriend from North Dakota to Denver for an audition for "American Idol" faces an animal cruelty charge after the woman's dog died in a hot car.

Denver police say 24-year-old Quincy Vanderbilt was issued a misdemeanor summons Wednesday. Authorities say Vanderbilt, whose hometown wasn't given, left the small terrier in the car with the windows rolled up Tuesday morning.

The temperature reached 90 degrees during the day.

Denver district attorney's spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough says Vanderbilt was supposed to periodically check on the dog, but didn't. She says when he checked on it at 2 p.m, it was dead.